Putting the Pieces Together
"Making It"
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
by
David Hamilton


" People Love Smart "
___________________

As a part of the " People Love Smart " pages, here is networking in motion. This is the basics to how networking starts.... I recently got an e-mail from a reader of this book that read: 

Dave-
 
My name is Jamie LaCourt and I am originally from Madison.  I moved down to Miami about 2 yrs. ago and now I recently moved to Orlando to finish college.  I caught your resume on Craigslist.com.  Even though I'm just an average cat I was really impressed with some of the stuff you had on there so I figured I would drop you a little feedback.  You come across as a person who is pretty passionate about what they do which is pretty rare these days.  I'm trying to finish school but what I'm majoring in doesn't have shit to do with what I desire to do.  What would be the first step in trying to get into the producing/management industry.  I know the question is vague but if I knew the first steps into perusing it I would start tomorrow.  I can't stand taking these business classes w/out even knowing what I want to do with them.  Thanks for taking the time to read and your feedback is always appreciated.  Good luck with landing a job your resume speaks for itself.
 
Jamie

After reading the letter I wanted to respond to Jamie with some smart things that he could do to prepare him. This information was gathered from past experience, friends that manage bands, and friends that are in bands. Here was my response:

Honestly, the first thing I would do if I were you is find a way to create some work for yourself playing the part as an assistant manager. You can star by reading local musician's magazines, news, or the local papers that print information for musicians in your city which you can usually find in music stores. You can even pin up an ad in a music store with your background, and ask to find a local artist that might need help with management assistance. Every artist needs good management at some time or another. You can  hit up a  few local shows and eventually if you look hard enough you will find a local artist that will let you co manage. Work out a deal where they know your just looking to get a feel for management and that your not looking for royalty or money right off the jump, since there won't be any. Work a deal out where you will help promote and market the band, and help them make good decisions as to what they do, where they play, who they are trying to attract, and so forth..... being a good manager is knowing everything about the artist you want to manage, from how they sound to who they attract, and setting up different events, shows, and promotions that help the face value of the group. You can find plenty of local talent that ( need ) management, or help in the management side of things. Any artist that has worth to the artistic world we live in wants support that believe in them, their sound, their motives, their agendas ( both realistic, out there, and hidden )  and most of all, a trust building person that really wants to see the artist grow and prosper. This is the beginning of a true faith manager. Find the talent, promote and market for the talent, build a relationship, and grow with them inside and outside of the performance fields of the business. While you are researching your market / city / scene for talent, get yourself a Artist Management book. There are plenty of books on the internet you can find by running a search in your browser such as:  

This Business of Artist Management (Business of Artist Management) by Xavier M., Jr. Frascogna,H. Lee Hetherington. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0823077055?v=glance 

 Musician Mall Artist Management / How to Manage a Band book section. Here you will learn how to manage your band or manage other ... http://www.getsigned.com/page/GMM/CTGY/ARTMANBKS 

and so on. I hope this information was something for you to think about on your quest to manage.

David Hamilton



That is a start to Networking.... You never know who you are going to run into when you go out there and start meeting people. The more you research and ask questions, the more you will learn and grow. It is just like " being in the right place at the right time " you are putting yourself there to be in the right place. The best part of networking is that two years from now the advice I gave Jamie could land him in a management position with a major artist, and his appreciation would be known. You never forget the people you network with and grow from.
 

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